4-year-old's near drowning a chilling lesson for family

July 22, 2013

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 12:28 p.m.

1 of 10

Camden Cockerill, 4, of Tustin, center, swims for the first time after his near-drowning last week. He is pictured with brother Justin Cockerill, 10, left, and dad Cash Cockerill, right. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 10

Camden Cockerill, 4, right, of Tustin plays near the spot where his parents performed CPR on him last week after he sank to the bottom of the pool in a near-drowning. His brother Justin Cockerill, 10, is pictured at top. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 10

Camden Cockerill, 4, right, of Tustin sits with his brother Justin Cockerill, 10, top, by his family's backyard pool where he nearly drowned last week. His parents' quick action of performing CPR saved him. After his hospitalization, doctors found him to be perfectly fine. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Aidan Cockerill, 15, of Tustin sits with her brother Camden Cockerill, 4, by the family pool where he nearly drowned last week. The quick action of their parents saved Camden's life. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 10

Camden Cockerill, 4, of Tustin, right, swims for the first time after his near-drowning in the family's backyard pool last week. Camden is swimming with his father, Cash Cockerill, left, and brother Justin Cockerill, 10, and is a good swimmer. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 10

From left are Jamie Cockerill of Tustin with children Aidan Cockerill, 15, Camden Cockerill, 4, Justin Cockerill, 10, and husband Cash Cockerill at their backyard pool where Camden nearly died last week. The incident turned out well, thanks to Jamie and Cash's quick CPR response. The couple are now spreading the word about pool safety and the fact that good swimmers, like their son, can drown too. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 10

From left are Jamie Cockerill of Tustin with children Aidan Cockerill, 15, Camden Cockerill, 4, Justin Cockerill, 10, and husband, Cash Cockerill, at their backyard pool where Camden nearly died last week. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 10

Cash Cockerill, bottom, plays with son Camden Cockerill, 4, in the backyard pool for the first time after Camden's near-drowning last week. Camden did not hesitate to swim again and does not remember the traumatic incident. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 10

Cash Cockerill, bottom, and wife, Jamie Cockerill, of Tustin want parents to know how quickly a child who can swim, can drown. Cash Cockerill is pictured carrying son Camden Cockerill, 4, who nearly died last week in the backyard pool. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Camden Cockerill, 4, of Tustin, center, swims for the first time after his near-drowning last week. He is pictured with brother Justin Cockerill, 10, left, and dad Cash Cockerill, right. ANA VENEGAS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Lubinsky believes in two remedies: Barriers or fences to prevent children from walking out the back door into the family pool unchecked. And constant – repeat, constant – adult supervision whenever a child swims.

“We have something called a 'pool watcher tag' that you hang around your neck,” he says. “Whoever’s got that, it’s their responsibility not to answer the phone, not to go inside, not to drink. They are there only to watch the kids.”

Lubinsky was one of three doctors who treated Camden at CHOC.

They took chest X-rays. Put him on a breathing machine. And anesthetized him for the night.

About midnight, a nurse saw Jamie Cockerill crying and hugged her.

“He’s going to be OK,” the nurse said.

But really, no one knew. Camden might never walk, or talk, or pick up a bug again.

•••

At 10 a.m. the next day, doctors took Camden off anesthesia and removed the breathing machine.

They asked him questions; made him touch his nose; kick his feet. He was groggy but everything worked. His body and brain were fine.

“When I saw that, I screamed and clapped so loud I scared the nurse,” says Cash. “I started bawling.”

So did Jamie, who jumped into bed with her son to hug him.

Now she wants others to know what she didn’t.

“So many parents – Cash and I included – assume that once your children can swim, they’re safe in the water,” Jamie says. “And they’re not.”

Jamie posted her story on Facebook. She sent copies to Camden’s preschool to hand out. She even set up a certified CPR class in her backyard for friends, family and neighbors.

As she discusses all this, Camden runs up in his favorite shark-patterned swimsuit and green goggles. He has no recollection of what happened.

Till now, Jamie has refused to let him back in the pool, giving his lungs – and her fears – time to recover.

But it’s time.

“Our new rule is, if our kids are in the water, we’re watching,” she says. “Even if it’s Aidan, who’s 15. They’re not allowed to go in the pool anymore without a water watcher.”

All eyes are on the boy who doctors said would’ve died if he’d remained under water another 30 seconds.

Without hesitation, he cannonballs into the water and swims down looking for bugs.

He pops up, then dives down again. Just Camden being Camden. So lucky to be alive.

Related Links

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.